Powerful centre had been showing signs of returning to his best last season

In January this year the 25-year-old made his comeback from 15 months out with an original painful and long-standing issue with his groin - only to be struck down by hamstring and knee injuries on two other occasions since.

Frustrated Leicester Tigers boss Richard Cockerill said: "Manu will be back within six to eight weeks.

"It’s tough, it’s tough for everybody. We are going to sort out the player. We want him fit. His groin’s not right, we’re going to get it right. At the moment, we are hoping it's no more than eight weeks. He’s running, its nowhere near as severe as before."